Kobe Bryant has studied the game of basketball more than other athletes. In pursuit of the elusive Michael Jordan, Bryant honed a skill level never seen in the NBA. His labor and meticulous attention to detail made the Mamba a spectacle for generations to come. Jeff Teague, though, found it unpleasant to watch Bryant perform his magic. What, then, in Bryant’s style of play annoyed him? The 2021 champion discussed why he didn’t particularly enjoy the 5x champion’s actions on the NBA floor in his Club 520.
Teague found it difficult to watch Bryant’s pursuit of precise moves because it seemed like Bryant was trying too hard.
Jeff Teague talks about not liking Kobe Bryant’s game
The former NBA guard claimed that Mamba’s strained manner hindered the viewing experience. Jeff Teague repeated his startling analysis of the Black Mamba, saying,
“I never liked watching Kobe play, he just wasn’t my type. He was cold, I know he was a killer but I ain’t never like watching him play. He was trying too hard, it didn’t come like easy, like he scored easy, but all his moves was like [makes grunting noise].”
The former Hawks point guard furthered his point by stating that Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant made the game appear simpler than it was for the Mamba. According to Teague, Bryant was making a lot of noise because of the effort he was putting in, but KD seemed to be able to score the ball without pausing for breath.
Then, he contrasted Bryant’s relentlessly aggressive moves with Michael Jordan‘s seemingly effortless technique, which turned Teague off as he prefers smoother-looking game styles. It’s debatable whether or not the Lakers icon was smooth, but there’s no denying that he did everything in his power to elevate his game.
